Pi Day: Strawberry Pie @ Elli's in Salinas

We commemorated Pie Day (3.14) with an individual strawberry pie, $4.25, house-baked at Elli's Great American. While I was somewhat leery of the gigantic berries, assuming they were cultivated more for looks than taste, fortunately, these were sweet and juicy, as good an early season berry as one can find. A sturdy butter cookie crust and pastry cream underneath, and a light glaze over the top of the strawberries completed the picture. Just right for a shared afternoon snack.

Glad to see you're still here, haven't heard a peep out of you for a while.

Yes, Elli's is very solid across the board and has something for everyone. Funny you mention the potato chips. I went in there a little before dinner service would start and the staff were filling the trays with chips to have them ready to plunk down on tables. I almost asked them if I could have one to take with me. :)

The basket of housebaked breads -- usually cornbread with a fruit butter and a coffee cake-like one -- also deserve special mention. As well as the wood-fired pizza and the desserts.